From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).
Oil viscosity, lubrication systems, and component failures like drip plugs and pumps.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 27\1\ Scan070 | |
| Date | 14th February 1929 guessed | |
| contd :- -3- (6) We also have had trouble with thick oil not flowing out of the tank into the cylinder as mentioned in your (6). You are probably aware we intend using a foot-pump of our own design, and we hope to make it practicable for a wide range of viscosities. Our latest pump seems to work equally well with thick Bijur oil or Vacuum 'BB'. We are, however, now experimenting with oil under zero conditions. As far as the choice of oil is concerned we agree that Mr. Bijur's figures and recommendations are rather misleading. At the moment we are having a very cold spell of weather, and his oils become semi-solid while others maintain their mobility suitably. Our laboratory tests both on viscosities and cold tests go to confirm this. Have you tried Duckham's Adcol? This oil has a very good viscosity curve, and cold pour test, while keeping its body well at higher temperatures. We intend giving this a trial, and also Mobiloil 'A' which you recommend. (7) Is the manufacture of your drip plugs consistent? How much does each drip plug of any one kind vary? We are agreeing to an error of 10% in the quantity of oil dispensed by any one kind of drip plug. (8) Have you any experience of failure in plugs due to : (a) Plungers sticking due to oxidisation or otherwise. (b) The little brass cap which is peaned over falling out and rendering the non-return valve ineffective. This latter seems very serious to us and we have had several contd :- | ||